Folding umbrellla.



Patented May I3, |902.

No. 699,73I.

W. WHITNEY.

FLDlNG UMBRELLA.

(xpplca'ton led Sept. 12, 1899.)

1T: Model.)

w: bams PETERS zo4 PHoTo-Llmo.. wAsHmuwN. n, f.,

Patented May I3, |902.

W. D. WHITNEY.

FOLDING UMBRELLA.

(Applcatioxx filed Sept. 12, 1899.)

(No Model.)

2 Sheets- Sheet 2.

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Uirn i `Tnrias PATENT Ormes.

VILLIAM O. VHITNEY, OF GLNS FALLS, NEV YORK.

FOLDING UMBRELLA.

SPECFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,731, dated May 13,1902. Application filed September 12, 1899A Serial No. 730,261. (Nomodel.)

To @ZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM O. WHITNEY, a citizen of the United States,residing at Glens Falls, in the county of Warren and State of New York,have invented a new and usefulUmbrella, of which the followingis aspecification.

This invention relates to folding umbrellas, and has for its object toprovide an umbrella of this class which can be folded into small andcompact form for transportation and storage in a grip or otherreceptacle of small compass and one which at the same time will be asstrong and durable in use as umbrellas of ordinary types, which are notcapable of such manipulation.

Folding umbrellas, as that term is understood in the art, comprise ribsof sectional form designed to be folded and carried by a sectional stickor rod capable of being disjointed, so that the entire structure may becarried within a receptacle of a length little greater than that of oneof the rib-sections.

One of the primary objects of the inven tion,

therefore, is to simplify and strengthen the joints between therib-sections and to connect the spreaders with the ribs in a manner topermit the entire manipulation of the umbrella, whether in use or whenfolding it into small compass, by means of a runner movable upon thestick and designed to effect the expansion and contraction of theradially-disposed series of spreaders.

Viewed in a somewhat more limited aspect the object of the invention isto provide the hingedly-connected rib-sections of each rib with aninterlocking connection with the adjacent section and with the adjacentspreader, the relation of the spreader to the rib-sections being suchthat the raising and lowering ofthe rib in use may be effected throughthe medium of the spreader without disturbing the interlockingconnection between the rib-sections, or the interlocking connection maybe broken and the rib-sections folded one upon the other also throughthe medium of the spreader and runner.

A further object of theinvention is to con struct the umbrella-ribVof'two. sections, one of which is foldable upon the other and hasslight longitudinal movement with respect thereto for the purpose ofeffecting the connection or disconnection of the locking mechanismcarried by the sections and to edect such longitudinal movement of oneof the rib-sections solely by the manipulation of the spreader, thelatter being arranged when moved within normal limits to hold theribsections in interlocking engagement and when, moved beyond suchnormal limits to break the interlocking connection between therib-sections to automatically effect the folding of said sections oneupon the other. A still further object of the invention is to improvethe construction of the sectional han-` dle, the runner, and therunner-latch, which objects, as well as others subordinate to thoserecited, will appear more fully hereinafter as the necessity for theiraccomplishment is developed in the course of the succeeding descriptionof the preferred form ofthe invention illustrated 4in the accompanyingdrawings and embraced within the scope of the appended claims. In saiddrawings, Figure l is an elevation of the sectional umbrella-rodequipped with a rib and spreader constructed in accordance with myinvention, the position of these parts when the umbrella is collapsedbeing indicated in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing the rod-sections disorganized and the rib and spreaderin their foldedpositions. Fig. 3 is a detail view, partly in section, of the upper endof the Vumbrella-rod, showing the connection of the ribs with the uppernotch rim or flange and the location of the rib receiving and spacingdevice therebelow. Fig. 4: is a section on the line 4 4 of Fig. 3. Fig.5 is a detail section of the portion of the rod containing therunnerdatch, the latch being shown in elevation. Fig. 6 is a transversesection on the line 6 6 of Fig 5. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective viewofthe runnerlatch. Fig. 8 is a detail section of the joint between the tworod-sections. Fig. 9 is an elevation of one of the rod-joints. Fig. 10is a detail View, partly in elevation, showing the locking connectionbetween the rib-sections and the spreader, the parts being shown intheir engaged positions. AFig. l1 is aview similar to Fig. 10, showingrelative positions of the parts after the spreader hasbeen actuated tomove the outerrib-section longitudinally for the purpose of disengagingthe locking device preparatory to the folding of the rib. Fig. l2 is aView similar to Fig. ll, showing the subsequent position of the partsduring the folding operation, the spreader IOO having been further movedfrom the position indicated in Fig. 11 to cause the disengaged inner endof the outer rib-section to be swung downwardly and outwardly and theouter end of the outer rib-section to be swung back above theinnerrib-section. Fig. 13 is a similar View showing the position of the partssubsequentto the position shown in Fig. 12, the spreader being shown asmoved to what is called its folded position, at which time it will haveeffected the complete folding of the outer section upon the innersection of the rib. Fig. 14 is a perspective View showingv the partsinterlocked or engaged as in Fig. 10, but in the positions they assumewhen the umbrella is being lowered. Fig. 15 is a detail sectional viewon the line 15 15 of Fig. 10. Fig. 16 is a View similar to Fig. 8, butshowing a someWhat-dierent arrangement of the rod-latch. Fig. 17 isasection on the line 17 17 of Fig. 16, and Fig. 18 is a detail Viewshowing a portion of the umbrella-cover and illustrating theinwardly-curved outer edges of the cover-gores.

Referring to the numerals employed to designate corresponding partsthroughout the views, 20 and 21 indicate the upper and lower tubularsections of the umbrella-rod, tapering somewhat toward its upper end,preferably made of metal and fitted with a tapering tip 22. The lowerend of the hollow upper section 2O of the rod constitutes a socket forthe reception of a short joint-plug or rodsection 23, the opposite endof which is snugly fitted in the rod-section 21 and held by any suitablemeans-as, for instance, a rivet 24. The projecting portion of thejoint-plug 23, which latter, if desired, may be formed integral with thelower rod-section, is provided with a longitudinallydisposed slot 25,extending inwardly approximately to the center of the rod, a perforation26 piercing the plug 23 at the base of the slot and opening into thelatter adjacent to the upper end of the plug. The slot 25 is designedfor the reception of a rod-latch constructed of spring metal and havinga transversely-rectangular base 27, from which is extended alongitudinal-spring portion 28, formed at or adjacent to its end with alaterally-extending head or finger-piece 29, designedfor engagement witha slot 32 in the lower end of the tubular rodsection-20. This slot 32 ispreferably enlarged at its center by a circular perforation 3l,.whichpermits the finger-piece 29 to be readily depressed, notwithstandingthat said lingerpiece or head is normally iiush with the surface of therod to prevent its interfering with the movement of the runner, to bedescribed.

sections is effected by slipping the section 2O over the projecting endof the plug 23 to effect a rigid connection of the sections by theengagement of the rod-latch with the section 20. Adjacent to the base ofthe rod-tip 22 is located, as usual, the integral or otherwiseformednotch-rim 35 for the reception of the inner ends of the umbrella-ribs,and for the attachment of the inner ends of the spreaders 38 a runner 36is slidably disposed upon the rod and carries a similarl notch-rim 37,in a manner well understood in the art. The runner 36 is flared at bothends, as shown, to facilitate its engagement with the runner-latcheither above or below the latter, the projecting lug or catch-piece 39of said latch having its outer face curved, as shown, to facilitate itsdepression by the runner as the latter is presented to it from eitherdirection. The lug or catch-piece 39 of the runner-latch projectsoutwardly through a slot 40 in the rodsection 20, the ends of the lugbeing fiat for direct engagement with the end walls of a longitudinalslot 4l, formed in the runner in a manner well understood in the art anddesigned for the reception of the lug 39.

The runner-latch, which, as stated, carries at its free end thefinger-piece or lug 39, comprises a narrow spring-stem 42, provided witha laterally-extending lug 43, adjacent to the end opposite the lug 39and designed to engage a perforation 44 iu the rod-section 20. From thislower end of the latch, or, more properly, from the stem 42 thereof,extends upwardly and divergently a spring-arm 45, which engages theinner surface of the tubular section 30 at the side opposite theperforation 44 and serves to exert a spring-pressure tending to hold thelug 43 inits aperture and augmenting the resiliency of the springstem 42for the purpose of normally retaining the head or lug 39 in itsprojected position, as best shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings. It isevident that the spring 45 serves aldual function in that it effects theretention of the runner-latch within the rod by insuring the engagementof the lug 43 with said rod and exerts more or less spring-pressure,which is auxiliary to the inherent resiliency of the spring-stem 42, sothat while the spring 45 IOO IOS

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yields somewhat when the lug 39 is depressed such yielding does notinterfere with the proper retention of the latch against longitudinalmovement within the stem.

Wre have now seen in what manner the sections of the umbrella-rod arejointed and how the runner is constructed and retained in position uponthe rod, and we no w come'to a consideration of that feature of theinvention which is of primary importance in the production of apractical umbrella of the folding type. The feature to which referenceismade vis the peculiar construction and arrangement use, and the foldingof the ribs when it is desired to store or transport the umbrella in acase of small compass. In short,'we are now to consider the peculiar andnovel construction and arrangement of parts whereby the operator bymanipulating the runner upon the rod may effect the raising, lowering,and folding of the ribs or the unfolding of the latter through themedium of the spreaders attached to the ribs and runner in the peculiarmanner which makes the foregoing manipulation a possibility.

The ribs of the umbrella each comprise two sections-an inner section 46,pivotally connected to the notch-rim 35 at one end, and an outer section47, arranged for connection at its outer end with the umbrella-cover.The general form of these ribs is not essential; but the adjacent endsof the rib-sections are preferably flattened, as indicated in Figs. l0to 13 of the drawings. The ribs are thus formed to facilitate theattachment of a pair of locking elements or members 4S and 5l. Themember 48 projects inwardly-that is to say, toward the rod-from the endof the rib-section 47 and is provided in its upper face with a groove,slot, or depression 49, the side walls of which terminate in a pair ofparallel ears 50, between which is pivoted by a combined pivot andlocking-bar 50 the outer end of a spreader 38, it being observed thatthe spreader, which is of course connected to the runner at its innerend, is pivotally connected at its outer end to the inner extremity ofthe outer rib-section 47 through the medium of the locking-bar 50.The'other locking elementor member 5l is secured to the outer end of theinner rib-section 46 and is designed for reception for a suitableportion of its length within the slot or depression 49 of the lockingmember 48 and with its outer end disposed closely adjacent to the rearend of said slot. The outer end of the locking Vmember 5l is preferablysomewhat enlarged, as shown, and is provided with alongitudinally-disposed slot 52,through which is passed a pivot-pin 53,forming a pivotal connection betweenthe two locking elements, butpermitting slight relative longitudinal movement of the tworib-sectionsby reason of the lateral play of the pivotpin 53 within theslot 52. Inasm uch as the locking members may be considered portions ofthe ribs, it will now be seen that the outer ribsection has a loosepivotal connection at a point intermediate of its ends with the outerend of the inner rib-section and has a fixed pivotal connection at itsinner extremity with the outer end of aspreader, the term fixed pivotalconnection being employed for the reason that this connection is notshiftable relative to either of the connected elementsthat is to say, itis not shiftable with respect to either the spreader or the outerrib-section, as distinguished from the pivotal connection between thetwo rib-sections, which is designed to shift somewhat in order to permitthe outer ribsection to have slight longitu dinal movement independentof the inner ribsection. Before going further, therefore, it may beobserved that the outer rib-section may be swung upon the outer end ofthe inner rib-section as a fulcrum by the manipulation of theinner endof the outer section f be such as to force the inner end of the outerrib-section 47 against the under side of the inner rib-section 46,thereby presenting said rib-sections in substantial alinement andpermitting them to be raised in unison by the elevation of the runner inthe usual manner. On the other hand, however, if the runner is elevatedto such an extent as will bring the axis of the pivot-pin 50 below aline drawn in the manner indicated, or even to bring the three pointsstated in substantial alinement, the inner end of the outer rib-section47 will drop away from the inner section 46, and as the joint or knuckleformed between the spreader and rib-section 47 is thus broken the partswill swing inwardly (see Fig. 12) until the IOO spreader and the tworib-sections are folded in close relation, as indicated more clearly inFi g. 13, it being evident that the inward swinging of the innerrib-section and ofthe spreader from different centers will cause theouter ribsection to be swung upon the pivot-pin 53'as V or whether, onthe contrary, the outer ribsection will be folded upon the innerrib-section to permit the total collapse of the device fortransportation or storage.

By'reference to Fig. l of the drawings it will be seen that when therunner 36 is 'in engagement with the runner-latch the angleof thespreader will be such `as to` maintain the alined position of the tworib-sections,- so

thatthe several ribs will be supported in the IIO position usuallyassumed by the ribs of umbrellas when raised. if thel runner is droppedbelow the latch the relation of the spreader to the rib will not bechanged in a manner to cause the relative swinging of the rib-sections.On the contrary, if the runner is dropped below the latch It will alsoappear that the eect will be to permit the rib as an entirety to swinginwardly and downwardly toward the umbrella-rod-as, for instance, in themanner of an ordinary umbrella when closed. If, however, the runnerisdisengaged from the runner-latch and is moved an appre- `movement, andas this will permit the inner I f, rib-section and the spreader to swingdownwardly toward the rib the result will be to effect the completefolding of the umbrella by the simple act of elevating the runner to a'position sufliciently above the runner-latch. This relation of theparts-that is to say, of the rib-sections and spreader--would beproductive of a completely-operative device wi thout further additions,so far as this particular feature of the invention is concerned. Suchwould not, however, be the highest development of the invention, becausethe knucklejoint between the spreader .and rib-section would be mosttoosensitive, and an unskilful user or operator'might thereforehave somedifficulty in properly manipulating the ribs in accordance with hisdesires. HI therefore vprefer to provide the rib-sections with lockingmechanism and with means for yieldingly resisting thelongitudinalmovement of the outer rib-section. necessary to the breakingof thepjoint, the locking mechanism being so'organized as to beautomatically disengaged or released by the longitudinal movement of theouter rib-section, such movement, by reason of the resistance imposed,being possible only by Ia positive intentional AInanipulation of therunner and its attached spreader.r This rib-section locking mechanismcomprehends a locking-hook 56, dependv ing from the under side of thelocking member 5l, preferably at or adjacent to the inner end of thelatter and openingl outwardlythat is to say, the hook 56 opens towardthe outer end of the innerprib-section 46 and is designed to engage thepintle or locking-pin 50', constituting the pivotal connection betweenthe spreader and outer rib-section and whose axis is the axis of theknuckle-joint, to whichattention has been called. Thus when thelocking-hook 56 is in engagement with the locking-pin 50 the joint isheld against downward breaking, and the folding` of the outerrib-sections is thereby prevented until the locking-pin has been movedlaterally toward the outer end of the inner rib-section a sufficientdistance to effect its disengagement from the hook 56. At lsuch time thejoint may be broken downwardly and the outer rib-section folded,provided the spreader 3S bears such angular relation to the rib as willmake possible this manipulation of the parts. The resistance opposed tothe longitudinal movement of the outer rib-section is designed, however,for the purpose of preventing such disengagement of the locking-pin 50from the hook 56 except upon the exertion of a positive pressure, suchas would only ordinarily be exerted with intention to eect thedisconnection. This resistance mechanism oomprehends a spring finger orhook 54, connected vat its inner end to the under side of the lockingmember 5l and disposed suhstantially parallel with the member, asclearly shown in Figs. ll to 13 of the drawings. The outer portion ofthe hook or linger 54 is provided with a laterally-deflected enddesigned to yieldingly engage a recess 55, formed in the bottom wall ofthe slot 49 in the locking member 48. By reference to Fig. 10 it will beseen that the deflected extremity of the spring 54 is designed to beseated within the recess when the locking-pin 50 is in completeengagement with the hook 56 and when the pin 53-is at the inner end ot'the slot 52 in the locking member 5l of the inner rib-section. It willtherefore be evident that in order to cause the disengagement of thelooking-pin 50 from the locking-hook 56 the outer rib-section must beurged longitudinally with sufficient force to overcome the resistanceopposed to such movement by the spring-finger 54. Another function ofthe spring finger 54, which will be obvious from careful considerationof the unlocking operation, is that the spring will exert more or lesstendency to swing the outer rib-section upon its axis, because thespring-tinger must be more or less compressed to cause its withdrawalfrom the recess, and this compression will be exerted to swing theinwardly-extended end of the outer rib-section away from the innerrib-section as soon as the locking-pin 50 has passed out of engagementwith the locking-hook 46 and is no longer sustained thereby. Vith theparts constructed and related in the manner specified the runner may bereciprocated upon the umbrella-rod sufiiciently to effect the raisingand lowering of the umbrella in the usual manner without interferingwith the connection between the rib members, because such slight outwardpressure as may be exerted upon the outer rib section by the spreaderwill be successfully resisted by the finger 54 and by the cover of theumbrella,

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which is connected to the outer ends of the beyond the latch asufficient distance (see Fig. 1l) to cause great outward pressure to beexerted upon the outer rib-section 47. The force thus applied willovercome the resistance of the spring finger or check 54 and the holdingpower of the cover and will move the outer rib-section i7 longitudinallya sufficient distance to shift the pin 53 to the outer end of the slot52 and to cause the locking-pin 50 to move out of engagement with thelockinghook 56. The downward breaking of the joint will now be assistedmore or less by the spring-finger 5%, and the inward swinging of theinner rib-section and spreader will canse the outer rib-section to foldupon the inner rib-section in a manner which will be appar-` ent from aperusal of Figs. 12 and 13. The

umbrella proper having thus been folded solely by the manipulation ofthe runner the A'in an obvious manner.

rod-section 21 maybe detached from the section 20y by the manipulationof the rod-latch On the other hand, when it is desired to reorganize theumbrella for use the rod-section is attached, and instead ofmanipulating the folded rib-sections by hand in the usual manner therunner is simply moved down the rod to the position indicated in dottedlines in Fig. l, when, as will be evident, the outer rib-sections willswing back by gravity to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1,and from this position the umbrella is raised to the full-line positionof Fig. 1 by the elevation of the runner in the usual manner. It willtherefore appear that the manipulation of the runner not only controlsthe raising, lowering, and folding of the umbrella, but also eifects theunfolding thereof for use and the automatic engagement and disengagementof the mechanism which either connects the rib-sections or permits thefolding thereof, as desired.

By reference to Figs. 14 and 15 of thedrawings it will be seen that theouter ends of the spreader 38 are bifurcated, so that its ends orbifurcations lie outside of the planes of the ears 50, between which thelocking-hook 56 is received for engagement with the lockingpin. Inumbrellas of this character where a number of movably-conneeted partsare employed it is highly desirable to provide for their retention inproperly-spaced relation when the ribs are folded, so as to preventjamming, crowding, or rattling of the parts. This end is attained inlarge measure by the provision of a guide or receiver 60, preferably inthe form of a rubber ring, having a series of peripheral notches inspaced relation and designed for the reception of the lindividual ribswhen The latter are' folded alongside of the rod, as illustrated indotted lines in Fig. 3. The resiliency of the rubber guide serves notonly to prevent the abrasion of the ribs 'or rod, but also tends topositively hold the ribs against outward movement, as the notches inthereceiver or Iguide are made into the notches the resiliency of therubber will tend to positively hold the ribs against movement, whilespacing them in their proper relative positions. It will also now beclear that the flaring of the runner at its opposite ends is not a merematter of duplication, but is made necessary by the fact that the runneris designed to engage the runner-latch from positions both above andbelow the latch, and the special utility of the particular form ofrunner-latch will also appear, because the latch is designed to hold therunner equally against movement in either direction, so that the ribswill not only be retained in their raised positions, but will also beretained unfolded by the retention of the spreader at the proper angle.I In Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawings is shown a modification of therod-latch, the lower rod-section (il being provided with a splicing-rod62 therein, projecting therefrom for engagement with the lower end ofthe rod-section G3, provided with an opening (il. In this form ot'rod-joint the splicing or connecting rod G2 is formed with alongitudinal slot G5, extending throughout its length, for the receptionof a rofl-latch 66, constructed in a manner similar to the constructionof the rod-latch illustrated in Fig. S, except that it is providedadditionally with a recess 67 in one edge, through which the rivet GO,holding the splicing or connecting rod in place, is passed.

From the foregoing it will be observed that I have produced a simple,ingenious, and effective folding umbrella wherein the ribs aremanipulated in use or are folded entirely by the manipulation of therunner; but while the presentiembodiment of the invention appears atthis time to be preferable I do not limit myself to the structuraldetails employed, but reserve the right to make such changes,modifications, or variations of the illustrated structure as may beproperly comprehended within the scope of the protection prayed.

What I claim isl 1. The combination with a tubular portion having aperforation therein and a slot, of a spring-plate comprising a base, alug adja- A cent one end of the base and engaged with the perforation ofthe tubular portion, a springstem forming a continuation of the oppositeend of the ba'se and lying outof contact with the tubular portion at itsrear end, ahead upon the forward extremityof the springst-em and lyingin the slot of the tubularportion and adapted for reciprocation therein,

and a spi'ing-nger extending from the spring- ICO IIO

1o 3. In a folding umbrella, the combination with rib-sections and aspreader, of interlocking and pivotally-connected lock elements carriedby the rib-sections, connections between one of said elements andaspreader for holding the elements in mutual engagement,

a recess in one of the elements, and a springfinger carried by the otherelement and adapted for engagement with the recess to hold the elementsin their locking positi'ons,said spring 2o being also adapted to movethe elements upon their pivotal connection when they are unlocked.

4. In a folding umbrella, the combination with rib-sections and aspreader, of a lock elez5 ment carried by each section and havingpivotal engagement with each other, said elements being movablelongitudinally with respect to each other to lock and unlock them,connections between the spreader and one of 3o'said elements for movingit longitudinally with respect to the other element and a spring carriedby one element and adapted for engagement with the other element to movethe elements upon their pivotal connection when they are unlocked.

5. The combination with a rib-section having a grooved lock elementfixed thereto, of a second rib-section, having a lock element fixedthereto, said second lock element lying 4o in the groove of the firstelement and having a longitudinal slot, a pivot-pin passed through thewalls of said groove and through the slot and adapted to play in thelatter to permit mutual longitudinal movement of the elements, a pincarried by the first element, a

hook adapted for engagement and disengagef ment with respect to the pin,connections between a spreader and one of said lock elements to move thelatter with respect to the 5o second element to engage and disengage thehook with the pin and a spring-finger carried by one of the elements andadapted for engagement with the other element when the lock is engagedwith the pin, said finger being adapted to move the elements on theirpivot when the hook is disengagedfrom the pin.

e'. The combination with a rib-section havlng a locking element providedwith a longitudinal groove, of a second rib-section having 6o a lockingelement seated in said groove and having pivotal and longitudinalconnection with the first-named element, a pin carried by the firstelement, a hook carried by the Asecond element and adapted forengagement with the pin to hold the rib-sections together,

aspreader pivotally connected with the first element and adapted to moveit longitudinally of the second element to engage and disengage the hookwith the pin and a springfinger carried by one of the elements andadapted for engagement with the other element when the lock is engagedwit-h the pin, said finger being adapted to move the elements on theirpivot when the hook is disengaged from the pin.

7. The combination with a rib-section having a locking element fixedthereto and comprising a hook and a spring-tongue, of a secondrib-section having a locking element pivoted to the first-named element,the second element having a recess to receive the springtongue andhaving a pin adapted to engage the hook subsequent tothe engagement ofthe spring-tongue with the recess, and a spreader connected with thesecond element and adapted to move the pin into and out of engagementwith the hook.

8. In a folding umbrella, the combination with inner and outer ribsections and a spreader, of interlocking and pivotally-connected lockingmembers carried by the ribsections, and a fixed pivotal connectionbetween the outer rib-section and spreader, whereby said spreader servesto hold the locking members in engagement, and means for urging therib-sections apart when the locking members are disengaged.

9. In a folding umbrella, the combination with an inner rib-sectionprovided with a locking member formed with a longitudinal slot and alocking-hook, of an outer rib-section having a second locking memberprovided with a pair of transverse pins designed respectively forengagement with the slotand hook of the other member, a spreaderconnected to the inner end of the second locking member to urge saidmembers into and out of interlocking engagement, one of said lockingmembers being provided with a recess, and the other of said membersbeing provided with a spring-finger disposed for engagement with therecess to resist relative longitudinal movement of the locking members.

lO. In a folding umbrella, the combination with an inner rib-section, ofan outer ribsec tion having a loose pivotal connection intermediate ofits ends with the outer end of the inner rib-section, a spreader havingpivotal connection with the inner end of the outer rib-section, meansfor locking the outer ribsection and the spreader to the innerrib-section, and a spring interposed between the two rib-sections at apoint between the two pivotal connections above stated, said springserving to effect the swinging of the outer ribsection when said sectionis unlocked.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two witnesses.

VILLIAM O. IVI'IITNEY.

Vitnesses:

I-I. PRIOR KING, S. EVA BARNES.

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